The defender snatched the crucial goal in a truly thrilling 120 minutes, one of the club's greatest European nights
Football, bloody hell. Alex Ferguson was talking about the 1999 Champions League final then but that magical evening in Barcelona was tame compared to this wild, unpredictable and unforgettable night which saw Manchester United go 2-0 up against Lyon, blow their advantage then fall 4-2 behind in extra-time despite playing with a one-man advantage.
But somehow the Red Devils conjured the spirit of the Camp Nou and scored three times in seven epic minutes to win 5-4 on the night and 7-6 on aggregate reach the Europa League semi-finals.
Harry Maguire played the role of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, heading in the critical goal in the 121st minute to avoid penalties and complete the most epic of turnarounds. But only a few minutes earlier the Red Devils had been staring in the face of one of their most embarrassing and infuriating defeats as Lyon came back from nowhere, scoring twice in the space of six minutes through Corentin Tolisso and Nicolas Tagliafico to cancel out Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot's first-half efforts for United.
They then brushed off having Tolisso sent off in the 89th minute and went ahead thanks to a low drive from the brilliant Rayan Cherki in the 104th minute. It looked to be game over when Alexandre Lacazette tucked in a penalty early in the second half of extra-time. But when Manchester United are concerned, it is never over.
United unfurled an impressive banner and let off fireworks before kick off. Ruben Amorim's side then made a booming start. Ugarte tapped them in front after a sweeping move involving Noussair Mazraoui, Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho. Casemiro and Fernandes – with a lethal volley against the bar – came close to doubling the lead before Dalot finally did so on the stroke of half-time, firing in off the post after a lofted pass from Maguire.
United played with freedom and enjoyment in the second half but crucially failed to kill Lyon off, Garnacho wasting their best opportunity. Lyon looked dead but came alive when United failed to clear the danger in the air and Tolisso nipped in to head past Onana. Just a few minutes later they found the equaliser as chaos reigned around the United area and Nicolas Tagliafico stabbed the ball over the line, Lacazette putting it back in for good measure.
Old Trafford was completely deflated but United were handed a huge advantage when Tolisso was shown a second yellow card in the 89th minute for tripping Leny Yoro. And yet they blew it, the excellent Cherki sticking one in the bottom corner after United failed to stop the livewire Malick Fofana. The substitute then earned a penalty in the second half of extra-time after being trod on by Luke Shaw.
When Lacazette scored from the spot a number of United fans gave up and began filing out of the stadium. Those that stayed saw Fernandes reduce the deficit to one goal in the 114th minute but still few believed the comeback was really on. That is, until substitute Kobbie Mainoo curled in an equaliser in the 120th to send Old Trafford potty.
Penalties beckoned but Maguire was having none of it and he headed Casemiro's cross in off the post in the 121st minute to snatch the most remarkable victory and set up a semi-final tie with Athletic Club. And given what took place tonight, United will dare to dream of making it back to Bilbao for the final and of lifting the trophy.
GOAL rates Man United's players from a truly unbelievable night at Old Trafford…
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Andre Onana (7/10):
Blocked out all the noise surrounding him and made two fine saves, getting low to thwart Cherki in the first half and then denying Corentin Tolisso. Couldn't be blamed for any of the goals and had the last laugh over Nemanja Matic as he has a semi-final tie to look forward to.
Leny Yoro (6/10):
Brought the ball out very well, charging confidently up the field with the ball twice. His defending was a little suspect, being dazzled by Cherki and making a lazy flicked clearance which allowed Ainsley Maitland-Niles to shoot. Could have been stronger against Tolisso but then bravely blocked Fofana's shot with his head.
Harry Maguire (9/10):
Set the tone for a dominant display with an early crunching tackle on Cherki. Was quickly on top of every whiff of danger and moved the ball around superbly, especially when he set up Dalot with a chipped pass from his own half. Lost a bit of focus after the break but made amends by pulling off the clutch moment.
Noussair Mazraoui (7/10):
Started the move for the opener with a wonderful pass from defence to Fernandes. Defended comfortably before being taken off at half-time for Shaw.
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Diogo Dalot (7/10):
Played a sumptuous long pass to Fernandes and then controlled a similar ball from Maguire to fire in the second. Really enjoyed himself in attack in the second half but it amounted to nothing. He then couldn't handle the brilliant Fofana and didn't clear the danger before Cherki scored.
Casemiro (8/10):
Plugged several holes in midfield and spread the play nicely, pulling off flicks and tricks in the second half. Had an early effort saved by Perri but could have struck it better. His legs appeared to give way in extra-time but he then laid the ball off for Mainoo before crossing for Maguire's winner. Class is permanent, even when you can no longer run.
Manuel Ugarte (7/10):
Got the ball rolling albeit with an easy finish. Held the midfield together comfortably with Casemiro for most of the game but faded as Lyon grew back into it. Taken off in the 88th minute.
Patrick Dorgu (4/10):
The weak link. Left Maitland-Niles open in the first half then failed to clear the danger leading to Tolisso's goal. Offered little going forward, often losing the ball.
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Alejandro Garnacho (6/10):
Lively from start to finish but wasteful at the crucial moments. Set up the opener with a clever cut-back to Ugarte, then his pressing sparked Casemiro's effort. Ran through on his own in the second half but bungled the finish and later he again failed to make the most of a free run into the area. Would have been one of the main culprits had United gone out so he might want to invite the team out for dinner again.
Rasmus Hojlund (4/10):
No shots on goal again although he got no service from his team-mates. The fact that Mainoo took his place up front says it all.
Bruno Fernandes (7/10):
Played ball to Garnacho leading to the first goal then was inches was from scoring a screamer of a volley, crashing against the bar. Orchestrated a lot of the play from deep then had to drag the team back from the brink, coolly converting the penalty.
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Luke Shaw (3/10):
A huge downgrade on Mazraoui. Not to blame for either goal but his lack of physical presence and rustiness from being out for so long played into Lyon's hands. Made things even worse by giving away the penalty.
Mason Mount (5/10):
Didn't do many positive things when he came on.
Kobbie Mainoo (9/10):
Saved United with a brilliant finish when no-one in the stadium seemed to believe the comeback was possible.
Harry Amass (6/10):
An improvement on Dorgu.
Christian Eriksen (6/10):
His cool head helped United find their feet.
Ruben Amorim (6/10):
Bringing on Shaw over Lindelof was a big mistake but his other substitutions worked. But his tactics cannot be hailed. This was all about belief.